JUST IN:Revisions to Mateo’s injury and the Orioles’ lineup.
Jorge Mateo has his left elbow in a brace and no further updates on his health.
Mateo suffered a transient dislocation Tuesday in a collision with shortstop Gunnar Henderson during a 6-3 loss to the Marlins. He needs to undergo further testing but the Orioles are waiting for the swelling to go down.
“It was a difficult moment when I saw and felt my arm bend that way,” Mateo said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “Yeah, just a difficult moment for me, for the team, for my family.”
Surgery is a possibility but the medical staff is collecting more information.
“We still don’t have anything concrete,” Mateo said. “We’re still waiting for the team to ultimately make a decision and see what happens from there.”
Mateo expressed confidence that he’ll play again this season, though he’s working more off a hunch and wishful thinking.
“Ultimately we’ll have to see what’s going to happen and what the final decision’s going to be,” he said.
Mateo is experiencing another uneven season, with a fast start followed by a prolonged slump and injuries. He sustained a concussion on June 2 after Cedric Mullins inadvertently hit him on the helmet with a bat while warming on the on-deck circle. Mateo bent over to pick up a weight while Mullins was rotating his arm in a circular motion.
In 68 games, Mateo is slashing .229/.267/.401 with 14 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 18 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He went 11-for-51 in June and 6-for-31 this month.
What keeps Mateo going through the adversity?
“My family keeps giving me support,” he replied. “I see my son continuing to grow and doing well. That really helps me overall and throughout this process right now. Just trying to keep a positive outlook with everything going on, and I know things are going to work out well and the team’s going to help me out with this.”
Mateo will keep rehabbing in Baltimore and stay close to the team.
“Hopefully I get better soon and get back to playing,” he said.
Connor Norby makes his third consecutive start at second base this afternoon.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed that Albert Suárez will start Sunday’s series finale against the Padres. The decision was made a few days ago after the club checked on his right foot. Suárez was hit by a sharp ground ball from Otto López and left the game, though he also had thrown 60 pitches in two-plus innings and was charged with six runs.
The Orioles host a doubleheader against the Blue Jays on Monday and those starters are TBA. A pitcher can be called up as the 27th man, which puts Cade Povich and Chayce McDermott in play.
Zach Eflin, acquired yesterday from the Rays, is expected to arrive in Baltimore later today. He’d be on regular rest Monday.
“We’re going to have him throw and then we’ll discuss when he’s most comfortable pitching,” Hyde said. “If it’s Monday, it’s Monday. If it’s Tuesday or Wednesday, it’s Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Hyde smiled and added, “He’ll be in the rotation.”
“Our hitters were really excited because he’s such a tough at-bat,” Hyde said. “The heartbeat is super low on the mound. He’s pitched in huge spots and huge times in big games, and that experience is going to be really valuable for us.”
Having Eflin under team control for 2025 sweetens the trade.
“For sure, especially since the injuries we’ve had and guys going to miss next year,” Hyde said. “To have a really good major league starter locked up for next year, too, is great.”
